COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
The COVID-19 pandemic was first confirmed in the U.S. state of Michigan on March 10, 2020. As of August 1, 2020, 82,356 cases have been confirmed, causing 6,206 deaths. As of July 31, 60,022 people in the state have recovered from COVID-19.
The state legislature approved $125 million to aid in relief efforts on March 17, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer called in the Michigan Army National Guard to assist with supply distribution the next day. The state legislature allocated an additional $150 million for medical supplies and personal protective equipment for hospitals on March 30. Governor Whitmer requested a major disaster declaration on March 26, which President Donald Trump granted on March 28. On March 27, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams dubbed Metro Detroit, which has a large majority of the cases, a “hot spot”. The city of Detroit has 20% of the total cases and 25% of the deaths. African Americans make up 31% of the state's total cases and 40% of deaths.
The national coronavirus outbreak triggered a state of emergency response at the state level on March 10 followed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer announcing the closure of all K–12 school buildings until April 5. Face-to-face instruction for all Michigan schools was later suspended for the remainder of the 2019–20 school year, with guidelines implemented to transition students to home learning formats. On March 16, Governor Whitmer ordered bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other businesses to partially close for two weeks and later banned events and gatherings of more than 50 from March 17 – April 5. On March 24, a statewide stay-at-home order was issued, limiting all non-essential travel and discontinuing all non-essential business services and operations. It was originally set to expire on April 13, but was extended until April 30 with several new social distancing restrictions. The order was later extended to May 15, with some restrictions lifted and others added, such as mandatory face covering usage in public buildings and businesses. The order was later extended again until May 28 and added modifications of the restrictions from previous orders. The face mask requirement was a factor in the killing of a security guard at a Family Dollar store in Flint, after a woman refused to wear a mask and was denied entry, leading to the arrests of a family of four people, in which a 23-year-old man was charged with first degree murder. Governor Whitmer has since extended the face mask requirement until July 15. On July 10, she extended the requirement and added a provision in which businesses can be fined $500 for not enforcing it and customers may be refused service for failing to wear one.
Several of the restrictions on businesses and medical facilities were lifted in late May. On May 22, Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until June 12 and the state of emergency until June 19. Governor Whitmer later extended the state of emergency another month until July 16. It was again extended until August 11. On June 1, the Governor announced that the stay at home order was partially lifted and that Michigan was in stage four of its six-stage re-opening plan. Outdoor crowds of up to 100 people are allowed starting June 1. Restaurants and bars began re-opening for indoor dining services starting June 8, and other restrictions on businesses were loosened. Hair and nail salons, barber shops, and tattoo and massage parlors were allowed to reopen on June 15. Starting July 31, indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and bars will be closed for indoor service and outdoor gatherings to 100.
Timeline
March
March 10–17
March 10:The state's first two cases were confirmed in the Detroit area, one in Wayne County who had traveled domestically, and one in Oakland County who had traveled internationally. Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency.
March 11:
Several universities and colleges moved to online education plus initiated various extensions, postponements, and alterations to academic schedules.
March 12:
Ten new presumptive-positive cases, for a state total of 12. In response, Governor Whitmer announced the statewide closure of all K-12 school buildings, effective March 16 and extending through April 5.
March 13: Thirteen presumptive-positive cases were announced, bringing the state's total to 25.
March 14: Eight more cases confirmed, for a total of 33.
March 15: Twenty more cases confirmed, for a total of 53.
March 16: One more case confirmed, for a total of 54. The statewide closure of all K-12 school buildings began.
March 17: Eleven more cases confirmed, for a total of 65.
March 18–24
March 18:- Fifteen cases confirmed for an official total of 80. The state's first death was confirmed at Beaumont Health in Wayne County, a Southgate man in his 50s with underlying health conditions. Two more deaths reported: an 81-year old in Detroit and a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions in Pontiac.
- Eaton County confirmed its first case, which was not included in the state's earlier total.
- Later in the day, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services disclosed 30 more cases without information on the locations of these cases. The state's total was estimated at 110, with one source reporting as many as 116.
- The official count was updated to 336 positive cases, which included private tests from the previous two weeks that had not been included in prior totals. However, later in the day, one case each in Isabella and Genesee counties were removed from the government tally due to errors in reporting, decreasing the total to 334.
- The state reports 215 cases were confirmed and 10 more were re-classified, for a state-wide total of 549.
- Additional cases in Ottawa and Barry counties were confirmed at the county-level. Genesee County also confirmed their first four positive cases, one of which was included in the earlier state total.
- A fourth death, a man in Oakland County in his 50s with underlying health conditions, was confirmed.
- The number of cases rose to 787, with a fifth death confirmed, a person in Detroit. Three more deaths were confirmed later that day, one each in Macomb, Oakland, and Kent counties, for a total of eight.
- The official state total rose to 1,035, after 249 positive cases were confirmed.
- Washtenaw County announced its first death, an older man with underlying health conditions who died at Michigan Medicine Health System, bringing the statewide death toll to nine.
March 24:
- The state reports 463 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 1,791, as well as nine new deaths, for a total of 25.
- Statewide stay-at-home order begins, limiting all non-essential travel and discontinuing all non-essential business services and operations.
March 25–31
March 26 :
- The state reports 561 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 2,856, as well as 17 new deaths for a total of 60.
- Several cases were reclassified when the state of Michigan began reporting the Michigan Department of Corrections as its own jurisdiction.
March 28: The state reports 993 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 4,650, as well as 19 new deaths for a total of 111 deaths.
March 29: The state reports 846 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 5,486, as well as 21 new deaths, for a total of 132.
March 30: The state reports 1,012 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 6,498, as well as 52 new deaths, for a total of 184.
March 31:
- The state reports 1,117 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 7,615, as well as 75 new deaths, for a total of 259.
- As of this date, Michigan ranked third nationally for coronavirus-related deaths, behind New York and New Jersey.
April
April 1–7
April 1:- The state reports 1,719 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 9,334, as well as 78 new deaths, for a total of 337.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services published it had made a request to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to temporarily waive a number of Medicaid requirements in order to keep Michigan's most vulnerable residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The state reports 1,417 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 10,791, as well as 80 new deaths, for a total of 417.
- MDHSS issued an Emergency Order requiring compliance with the state's Executive Orders under penalty of civil fines up to $1,000 and referral to licensing agencies for enforcement.
- The state reports 1,953 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 12,744, as well as 62 new deaths, for a total of 479.
- The state confirms 56 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date.
- The state reports 1,081 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 14,225, as well as 61 new deaths, for a total of 540.
- MDHHS issued an Emergency Order requiring funeral homes and doctors to report COVID-19 deaths more quickly as rapid notice will slow spread of the virus.
April 6: The state reports 1,503 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 17,221, as well as 110 new deaths, for a total of 727.
April 7:
- The state reports 1,749 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 18,970, as well as 118 new deaths, for a total of 845.
- Mason County confirmed its first case and Oceana County confirmed its first death.
April 8–14
- The state reports 1,376 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 20,346, as well as 114 new deaths, for a total of 959.
- Michigan became the third state to reach more than 20,000 cases on that date.
- The state reports 1,158 more cases were confirmed, for a total of 21,504, as well as 117 more deaths, for a total of 1,076.
- Three more counties – Delta, Monroe and Ottawa – reported their first death.
- Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order through April 30 and added several new social distancing restrictions.
- The state reports 1,279 more cases were reported, for a total of 22,783, and 205 more deaths, for a total of 1,281. It is the most deaths in a single day since COVID-19 came to the state.
- The state confirms 433 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 377 more than the previous week.
- The state reported 1,210 cases for a total of 23,993 and 111 more deaths, for a total of 1,392.
- Bay County reports its first death, an elderly man who was hospitalized in Saginaw.
- The state reports 645 more cases for a total of 24,638, and 95 more deaths, for a total of 1,487.
- Shiawassee County reports its first death, a man in his 30s with underlying health conditions.
- The state reports 997 new cases, for a total of 25,636, and 115 new deaths, for a total of 1,602.
- Barry County reports its first death from COVID-19, a 59-year-old woman.
April 15–21
April 15: The state reports 1,058 more cases, for a total of 28,059, as well as 153 more deaths, for a total of 1,921.April 16: The state reports 1,204 more cases, for a total of 29,263, as well as 172 more deaths, for a total of 2,093.
April 17:
- The state reports 760 more cases, for a total of 30,023, as well as 134 more deaths, for a total of 2,227.
- The state reports 3,237 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 2,804 more than last week.
- The state reports 768 more cases, for a total of 30,791, as well as 81 more deaths, for a total of 2,308.
April 20:
- The state reports 576 more cases, for a total of 32,000, as well as 77 more deaths, for a total of 2,468.
- The amount of new cases of in a single day is the lowest since March 26, while the single-day death total is the lowest since April 5.
- The state reports 967 more cases, for a total of 32,967, as well as 232 more deaths, for a total of 2,700.
- The number of deaths was the highest since the outbreak began. The previous high was on April 10, with 205.
April 22–30
April 23: The state reports 1,325 new cases, for a total of 35,291, as well as 164 more deaths, for a total of 2,977.
April 24:
- The state reports 1,350 new cases, for a total of 36,641, as well as 108 new deaths, for a total of 3,085.
- The stay-at-home order was extended to May 15, with some restrictions lifted and others added.
- The state also reports 8,342 people have now recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, more than double of the 3,237 reported a week ago.
- The state reports 562 more cases, for a total of 37,203, and 189 more deaths, for a total of 3,274.
- The amount of new cases of in a single day is the lowest since March 26.
- The state reports 575 new cases, for a total of 37,778, as well as 41 new deaths, for a total of 3,315.
- This is the lowest single-day death toll since March 29.
- The state reports 432 new cases, for a total of 38,210, as well as 92 more deaths, for a total of 3,407.
- This is the lowest amount of new cases in a single day since March 23.
April 29: The state reports 1,137 new cases, for a total of 40,399, and 103 new deaths, for a total of 3,670.
April 30: The state reports 980 new cases, for a total of 41,379, as well as 119 new deaths, for a total of 3,789.
May
May 1–7
May 1:- The state reports 977 new cases, for a total of 42,356, as well as 77 more deaths, for a total of 3,866.
- Governor Whitmer extends the state of emergency until May 28.
- The state also reports 15,659 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 7,317 more than a week ago.
- A security guard was shot dead in Flint after telling a family that one of their members could not enter a Family Dollar because she didn't have a mask on. All four members of the family were charged with various crimes, with a 23-year-old man charged with first degree murder.
May 3: The state reports 547 more cases, for a total of 43,754, as well as 29 new deaths, for a total of 4,049.
May 4: The state reports 196 new cases, for a total of 43,950, as well as 86 new deaths, for a total of 4,135.
May 5: The state reports 447 new cases, for a total of 44,397, as well as 44 new deaths, for a total of 4,179.
May 6: The state reports 657 more cases, for a total of 45,054, as well as 71 new deaths, for a total of 4,250.
May 7:
- The state reports 592 more cases, for a total of 45,646, as well as 93 more deaths, for a total of 4,343.
- Governor Whitmer extends the stay-at-home order until May 28. It modifies some of the restrictions of previous orders and allows factories to re-open starting May 11.
May 8–14
- The state reports 680 new cases, for a total of 46,326, as well as 50 new deaths, for a total of 4,393.
- The state also reports 22,686 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 7,027 more than reported the previous week.
May 10:
- The state reports 382 new cases, for a total of 47,138, as well as 25 more deaths, for a total of 4,551.
- This was the lowest single-day death toll since March 29.
May 12: The state reports 469 new cases, for a total of 48,021, as well as 90 new deaths, for a total of 4,674.
May 13: The state reports 370 new cases, for a total of 48,391, as well as 40 new deaths, for a total of 4,714.
May 14: The state reports 1,191 new cases, for a total of 49,582, as well as 73 new deaths, for a total of 4,787. The increase in numbers was partly due to some private laboratories switching to automatic case reporting instead of manual procedures which had resulted in a lag in reports reaching the state.
May 15–21
May 15:- The state reports 497 new cases, for a total of 50,079, as well as 38 new deaths, for a total of 4,825.
- The state also reports 28,234 people have recovered as of this date, 5,548 more than last week's total.
May 17:
- The state reports 638 new cases, for a total of 51,142, as well as 11 new deaths, for a total of 4,891.
- This is the lowest daily death toll since March 24 and includes no deaths in Detroit.
May 19: The state reports 435 new cases, for a total of 52,350, as well as 102 new deaths, for a total of 5,017.
May 20: The state reports 659 new cases, for a total of 53,009, as well as 43 new deaths, for a total of 5,060.
May 21: The state reports 501 new cases, for a total of 53,510, as well as 69 new deaths, for a total of 5,129.
May 22–31
May 22:- The state reports 403 new cases, for a total of 53,913, as well as 29 new deaths, for a total of 5,158.
- The state also reports 33,168 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 4,934 more than a week ago.
- Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until June 12 and the state of emergency until June 19.
May 24:
- The state reports 314 new cases, for a total of 54,679, as well as five new deaths, for a total of 5,228.
- This is the lowest single-day death total since March 22 and the lowest single-day new case total since May 4.
May 26: The state reports 223 new cases, for a total of 55,104, as well as 26 new deaths, for a total of 5,266.
May 27: The state reports 504 new cases, for a total of 55,608, as well as 68 new deaths, for a total of 5,334.
May 28: The state reports 406 new cases, for a total of 56,014, as well as 38 new deaths, for a total of 5,372.
May 29:
- The state reports 607 new cases, for a total of 56,621, as well as 34 new deaths, for a total of 5,406.
- The state also reports 38,099 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 4,931 more than a week ago.
May 31: The state reports 513 new cases, for a total of 57,397, as well as 28 new deaths, for a total of 5,491.
June
June 1–7
June 1: The state reports 135 new cases, for a total of 57,532, as well as 25 new deaths, for a total of 5,516.June 2: The state reports 199 new cases, for a total of 57,731, as well as 37 new deaths, for a total of 5,553.
June 3: The state reports 304 new cases, for a total of 58,035, as well as 17 new deaths, for a total of 5,570.
June 4: The state reports 206 new cases, for a total of 58,241, as well as 25 new deaths, for a total of 5,595.
June 5
- The state reports 284 new cases, for a total of 58,525, as well as 20 new deaths, for a total of 5,615.
- The state also reports 42,041 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 3,942 more than a week ago.
June 7:
- The state reports 121 new cases, for a total of 58,870, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 5,656.
- This is the lowest daily death total since March 20.
June 8–14
June 9: The state reports 108 new cases, for a total of 59,107, as well as 25 new deaths, for a total of 5,698.
June 10: The state reports 171 new cases, for a total of 59,278, as well as 13 new deaths, for a total of 5,711.
June 11: The state reports 218 new cases, for a total of 59,496 as well as 26 new deaths, for a total of 5,737.
June 12:
- The state reports 125 new cases, for a total of 59,621 as well as eight new deaths, for a total of 5,745.
- The state also reports 44,964 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 2,923 more than a week ago.
June 14: The state reports 189 new cases, for a total of 59,990 as well as three new deaths, for a total of 5,770.
June 15–21
June 15: The state reports 74 new cases, for a total of 60,064 as well as two new deaths, for a total of 5,772.June 16: The state reports 125 new cases, for a total of 60,189 as well as 18 new deaths, for a total of 5,790.
June 17: The state reports 204 new cases, for a total of 60,393 as well as two new deaths, for a total of 5,792.
June 18: The state reports 225 new cases, for a total of 60,618 as well as 26 new deaths, for a total of 5,818.
June 19:
- The state reports 211 new cases, for a total of 60,829 as well as five new deaths, for a total of 5,823.
- The state also reports 49,290 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 4,326 more than a week ago.
June 21: The state reports 146 new cases, for a total of 61,230, as well as three new deaths, for a total of 5,846.
June 22–30
June 22: The state reports 179 new cases, for a total of 61,409, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 5,853.June 23: The state reports 221 new cases, for a total of 61,630, as well as 11 new deaths, for a total of 5,864.
June 24: The state reports 323 new cases, for a total of 61,953, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 5,868.
June 25: The state reports 353 new cases, for a total of 62,306, as well as 18 new deaths, for a total of 5,886.
June 26:
- The state reports 389 new cases, for a total of 62,695, as well as two new deaths, for a total of 5,888.
- The state also reports 51,099 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 1,809 more than a week ago.
June 28: The state reports 252 new cases, for a total of 63,261, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 5,911.
June 29: The state reports 236 new cases, for a total of 63,497, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 5,915.
June 30: The state reports 373 new cases, for a total of 63,870, as well as 32 new deaths, for a total of 5,947.
July
July 1–7
July 1: The state reports 262 new cases, for a total of 64,132, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 5,951.July 2:
- The state reports 543 new cases, for a total of 64,675, as well as 15 new deaths, for a total of 5,966.
- This is the highest single-day new case total since May 19.
- The state reports 460 new cases, for a total of 65,135, as well as three new deaths, for a total of 5,969.
- The state also reports 52,841 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 1,742 more than a week ago.
- The state reports 398 new cases, for a total of 65,533, as well as three new deaths, for a total of 5,972.
- Ontonagon County reports its first case, which until yesterday was the only county with no cases.
- The state reports 343 new cases, for a total of 65,876. No new deaths were reported, leaving the total at 5,972.
- This is the first time the state has reported no new deaths since March 17.
July 7: The state reports 456 new cases, for a total of 66,627, as well as 30 new deaths, for a total of 6,005.
July 8–14
July 8:- The state reports 610 new cases, for a total of 67,237, as well as 10 new deaths, for a total of 6,015.
- This is the highest single-day new case total since May 19.
July 10:
- The state reports 612 new cases, for a total of 68,295, as well as 15 new deaths, for a total of 6,039.
- The state also reports 53,867 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 1,026 more than a week ago.
July 12: The state reports 390 new cases, for a total of 69,338, as well as one new death, for a total of 6,068.
July 13: The state reports 384 new cases, for a total of 69,722, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 6,075.
July 14: The state reports 584 new cases, for a total of 70,306, as well as six new deaths, for a total of 6,081.
July 15–21
July 15:- The state reports 891 new cases, for a total of 71,197, as well as four new deaths, for a total of 6,085.
- This is the highest single-day new case total since May 14.
July 17:
- The state reports 660 new cases, for a total of 72,502, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 6,108.
- The state also reports 55,162 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 1,295 more than a week ago.
July 19: The state reports 483 new cases, for a total of 73,663, as well as two new deaths, for a total of 6,119.
July 20: The state reports 489 new cases, for a total of 74,152, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 6,126.
July 21: The state reports 573 new cases, for a total of 74,725, as well as nine new deaths, for a total of 6,135.
July 22–31
July 22: The state reports 523 new cases, for a total of 75,248, as well as six new deaths, for a total of 6,141.July 23: The state reports 699 new cases, for a total of 75,947, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 6,148.
July 24:
- The state reports 594 new cases, for a total of 76,541, as well as three new deaths, for a total of 6,151.
- The state also reports 57,502 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 2,340 more than a week ago.
July 26: The state reports 1,041 new cases, for a total of 78,019. No new deaths were reported, leaving the total at 6,149.
July 27: The state reports 488 new cases, for a total of 78,507, as well as five new deaths, for a total of 6,154.
July 28: The state reports 669 new cases, for a total of 79,176, as well as 16 new deaths, for a total of 6,170.
July 29: The state reports 996 new cases, for a total of 80,172, as well as two new deaths, for a total of 6,172.
July 30: The state reports 715 new cases, for a total of 80,887, as well as 19 new deaths, for a total of 6,191.
July 31:
- The state reports 734 new cases, for a total of 81,621, as well as eight new deaths, for a total of 6,199.
- The state also reports 60,022 people have recovered from COVID-19 as of this date, 2,520 more than a week ago.
August
August 1–7
August 1: The state reports 735 new cases, for a total of 82,356, as well as seven new deaths, for a total of 6,206.Notable cases and clusters
Christian singer Sandi Patty tested positive for the virus on March 18, after having performed a concert at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan on March 8. Some individuals attended a VIP experience after the concert and had close contact with the singer. All of the VIP attendees were instructed to self-isolate and monitor symptoms through March 22. Three subsequent cases in Berrien County have been linked to the concert.As of March 25, nine Detroit Police Department employees have tested positive for COVID-19, while 280 others have been placed in quarantine. On March 24, one death was reported within the department, a 38-year-old civilian dispatcher. A second death was reported on the same date, a commanding officer within the Department who died from complications with the virus. Chief James Craig tested positive for the virus and was under quarantine for over two weeks. As of March 25, six other Detroit city employees have contracted the virus, with numerous others placed under quarantine. The officers and others reportedly contracted the disease at a community breakfast event at Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Detroit on March 6. Seventy-six Detroit police officers and 17 firefighters were infected by March 31.
Eighteen Wayne County Sheriff's Office employees have also tested positive for the virus, with the department's first confirmed death on March 25, a 63-year old Commander and 30-year veteran of the department. Detroit Pistons player Christian Wood has also been diagnosed with COVID-19. State representative Isaac Robinson from Detroit died from a suspected COVID-19 infection on March 29 at the age of 44. On April 6, another state representative, Karen Whitsett, also from Detroit, reported she has been also been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Notable clusters have been identified within the Michigan Department of Corrections, where 380 inmates and employees have tested positive for the virus within ten of Michigan's twenty-nine prisons as of April 10. At least 119 of the cases have been linked to the Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson County. The first employee death was linked to the Detroit Reentry Center. There have been two inmate and two employee deaths.
On April 1, the first ever case of acute necrotizing encephalitis linked to COVID-19 was discovered in the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.
On April 2, Hurley Medical Center pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who helped uncover the Flint water crisis, reported she tested positive for COVID-19.
On April 6, Flint-based United Auto Workers executive Ruben Burks died from COVID-19 at the age of 86. Also on April 6, Nathel Burtley, former superintendent of Flint Community Schools and Grand Rapids Public Schools, died from COVID-19 at the age of 79.
As of April 9, eight employees at the Durand Senior Care and Rehab facility have tested positive for the virus and all residents are being quarantined in their rooms. It confirmed eleven cases on April 12. It reported 70 cases, 39 residents and 31 employees, on April 20. On April 22, nearby nursing home The Lodges of Durand reported one staff member and three residents tested positive for COVID-19.
A nursing home in Cedar Springs reported six deaths from COVID-19 on April 9. It had earlier reported 31 residents and five staff members had COVID-19.
Also on April 9, it was reported 872 staffers in the Henry Ford Health System in Metro Detroit have tested positive for COVID-19.
Kroger and Meijer reported on April 11 that several of their employees in the state have died from COVID-19. Kroger reported four deaths, while Meijer did not give an exact figure.
On April 14, Regency nursing home in Grand Blanc Township reported 16 cases of COVID-19, four of them deaths.
A Flint Police officer died of COVID-19 on April 17. Also on April 17, Maple Woods Manor nursing home in Clio reported 13 of its residents have died from COVID-19.
On April 19, a five-year-old Detroit girl became Michigan's youngest resident to die from COVID-19.
On April 20, Hurley Medical Center reported one of its veteran public safety officers died of COVID-19.
On April 21, it was reported 60 workers at a JBS Meat Packaging plant in Gun Plain Township tested positive for COVID-19.
On May 11, 25 female residents and four staff members at Wolverine Home Services, a youth treatment facility in Vassar, tested positive for COVID-19.
On May 12, former state politician Morris Hood III, who served in both houses of the legislature, died of COVID-19 at the age of 54.
On June 19, it was reported over 50 workers at Maroa Farms in Coldwater tested positive for COVID-19.
Starting in late June, Harper's Restaurant & Brew Pub in East Lansing was linked to over 180 cases. The Ingham County Health Department has asked anyone who visited the bar between June 12–20 to self-quarantine for 14 days. It has also issued an emergency order for all restaurants and bars in the county, requiring them to operate at 50% capacity or no more than 75 people, whichever is less.
On June 24, two members of the Detroit Tigers organization tested positive for COVID-19. Norris was later cleared to join the Opening Day roster.
On July 5, it was reported 12 cases were linked to the Playhouse Club in Romulus while another was linked to the Checkers restaurant next door.
An Independence Day party in Saline has been linked to 43 confirmed cases.
On July 20, a news release from the Catholic website Global Sisters Report announced that 13 nuns who were members of the Felician Sisters of North America had died from complications of the virus in Livonia.
On July 22, the Michigan State Spartans football team temporarily suspended its practices after a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19. Two days later, it was reported that 12 Michigan Wolverines athletes also tested positive for COVID-19. On July 31, it was reported 28 Michigan Wolverines athletes have tested positive.
Since July 30, the Detroit Lions have placed eight players on the injury list after they tested positive for COVID-19.
Government response
Emergency response
On February 3, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services activated its Community Health Emergency Coordination Center to support local and state response to the coronavirus. On February 28, the State Emergency Operations Center was activated by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to assist with coordination. On March 3, the Governor created four COVID-19 Task Forces: State Operations, Health and Human Services, Education, and Economy/Workforce. A state of emergency at the state level was declared by the Governor on March 10.Education
As of March 11, all campuses of the Lake Superior State University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Central Michigan University, and all community colleges, had various restrictions on students and faculty in response to the virus.Executive Order 2020-05 also included the closure of all K–12 school buildings from March 16 through April 5. On April 2, the order was updated to suspend the remainder of the 2019–20 school year, unless crisis restrictions are otherwise lifted. The order included guidelines for the development and distribution of home learning materials. Additionally, all high school seniors will be given the opportunity to graduate on their previously anticipated date.
Additionally, on March 13, the Michigan Department of Education was granted a federal waiver by the United States Department of Agriculture. The waiver allowed for students who will receive food from the Unanticipated School Closure SFSP to not be mandated to receive the food in a group setting. The Michigan Department of Corrections banned visitors to prisons, along with prohibiting any volunteers from the prison. Staff at prisons will be required to have their temperature tested and be proven to be under along with other measures. The Michigan Career and Technical Institute suspended all programs until April 5.
On May 27, Michigan State University announced that students will return to campus in the fall with a hybrid system for in person and virtual classes.
On June 30, Governor Whitmer released the state's "Return to School Roadmap" containing three proposed plans for re-opening K-12 schools for the upcoming 2020–21 school year.
Businesses
On March 13, with Executive Order 2020–05, the Governor banned all gatherings of 250 or more people in a single space starting that day. The ban made exceptions for residential facilities and child care services at schools in addition to exemptions for consumers buying groceries or products, for industrial and manufacturing work, and for public transport and other forms of mass transit The ban was lowered to 50 people on March 16 per a CDC recommendation and is effective from March 17 – April 5. The order was later updated to exclude houses of worship from penalty if they convened more than 50 people.Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued an order starting March 16 to limit all Michigan Secretary of State branch offices to appointment-only instead of walk-ins. The only services provided by the offices will be for those applying for new licenses and IDs, for title transfers, and for testing for a license. All branches will no longer be open on Saturdays, with most weekday hours expanding. For those renewing their licenses, the proof of car insurance requirement was waived. Also waived were late fees associated with the change.
loading medical supplies
On March 10, Attorney General Dana Nessel set up a hotline to report businesses price gouging goods such as toilet paper, meat, milk, bread, bottled water, face masks, hand sanitizers, and cleaning supplies. Sellers face fines if their asking price is at least 20% higher than it was on March 9, after an executive order from Governor Whitmer banned the practice, until April 16. The order includes a clause that exempts retailers if they "can prove the increase is attributable to an increase in cost of bringing the product to market or an extraordinary discount was in effect as of March 9". As of March 19, at least 800 complaints have been received. On March 19, Nessel sent a cease and desist letter to Menards after her investigators found evidence of price hikes, sometimes doubling the retail cost, on high-demand bleach and 3M face masks. In other instances, tipsters reported seeing face masks that cost $10 each, cases of water for $35, and bottles of hand sanitizer for $60. Whitmer issued a second order on March 20 which "focuses enforcement resources on the cases most pertinent to the emergency by clarifying which price increases constitute price gouging." As of April 14, 3,541 complaints have been received.
On March 20, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order banning landlords from filing eviction requests against tenants until April 17, which she says "relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions to enable them to stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed". Also on that date, Whitmer signed an executive order for medical and dental facilities to postpone any "non-essential" procedures, such as plastic surgery and teeth whitening, beginning March 20 through the time the State of Emergency is lifted. On March 21, Whitmer issued an executive order to close facilities that provide non-essential personal care services such as hair and nail salons, tanning salons, spas, and businesses that offer massages, tattoos, body art, and piercings, until April 13. On March 30, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order banning non-essential veterinary visits.
On May 18, Governor Whitmer issued two executive orders, one prohibiting factories from giving tours and another requiring people to cover their faces in indoor public spaces. The former requirement was waived to allow President Trump to visit a Ford manufacturing plant in Ypsilanti on May 21. While touring the plant, Trump had a mask with the presidential seal but did not wear it on camera, saying he "didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it." Michigan's attorney general Dana Nessel said she expected to "have a very serious conversation with Ford" for enabling the violation of the face covering requirement, adding the president had sent "the worst possible message" and that he would no longer be welcome to tour facilities in the state. Governor Whitmer also signed an executive order on March 21 allowing gatherings of 10 people or less at retail stores by appointment only. Some malls opened as early as March 28 and some automobile showrooms reopened after the executive order was made. Tribal casinos plan to reopen on May 29.
After the flooding in Midland due to two dams breaking on May 20 forcing mass evacuations, Senator Jim Stamas asks Governor Whitmer to reopen restaurants in the area.
On June 11, Governor Whitmer extended the freeze on residential evictions for non-payment of rent to June 30. According to the Executive Order signed by Governor Whitmer, on June 10, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Michigan and on June 15 personal care services will reopen.
Economic relief
On March 17, the Michigan Legislature approved $125 million to fight the pandemic, with $50 million going towards the Department of Health and Human Services and another $40 million towards other state agencies for ongoing coronavirus response needs. Another $35 million was set in reserve in case more funding becomes necessary in the future. On March 18, Governor Whitmer asked the Michigan Army National Guard to "assist the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services with assembling and loading critical personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, and face shields." In response to widespread rumors that were circulating regarding the National Guard's presence in the state, Whitmer reaffirmed on March 20 that there were no active plans to implement martial law, although she did indicate that state officials were monitoring the effectiveness of lock-down protocols in other states, should they become necessary. On March 30, the legislature allocated an additional $150 million to purchase supplies to fight the pandemic. President Donald Trump approved Governor Whitmer's disaster declaration on March 28. Michigan will get about $2 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed into law on March 27.Stay-at-home orders
On March 23, Governor Whitmer issued a statewide stay-at-home order, starting the morning of Tuesday, March 24, and lasting for at least three weeks, until April 13. It was later extended until April 30, and then re-extended until May 15, and then until May 30. "Stay Home, Stay Safe", Executive Order 2020–21 directed all businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person services that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order directed residents to remain "in their homes unless they’re a part of an essential workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital, or grocery store." When leaving the house, individuals must adhere to social distancing measures, as directed by the CDC. The new stay-at-home order, Executive Order 2020–42, signed April 9, closed golf courses, disallowed recreational boating and travel to vacation homes in the state, and banned customers from shopping in non-essential sections of retail stores and businesses, including carpeting, flooring, furniture, garden centers, plant nurseries or paint. Failure to abide by the order may result in a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail. On April 7, the state of emergency was extended until April 30. It has since been extended it until May 28 which modifies some of the restrictions of previous orders. On April 15, Governor Whitmer ordered nursing homes to transfer coronavirus patients to separate units or special facilities and banned evictions from nursing homes. The order is in effect until May 13. On April 17, Governor Whitmer outlined a plan to re-open the state's economy starting May 1, after her latest stay at home order expires. The stay-at-home order was later extended to May 15, with some restrictions from the second one lifted and others added. The controversial bans of recreational boating and travel to vacation homes were removed, while non-medical grade face coverings in public will became mandatory starting April 26. Several businesses and sections of stores were allowed to reopen, including those gardening supplies and paint, as well as golf courses, but AirBnB rentals were banned. The newest stay-at-home order modifies some of the restrictions from previous orders and allows manufacturing to restart on May 11. On April 27, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order placing several new regulations on restaurant and grocery stores and their employees. On May 18, Governor Whitmer announced bars and restaurant dining rooms in the Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula will be allowed to open on May 22. She later announced retail stores and auto dealerships may reopen on May 26 and nonessential medical, dental, and veterinary procedures may begin on May 29. On May 22, Governor Whitmer extended the stay-at-home order until June 12 and the state of emergency until June 19. On July 14, Governor Whitmer extended the state of emergency until August 11.On April 16, Governor Whitmer joined the governors of Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky to coordinate a plan to reopen the Midwest regional economy.
Testing
During the week of March 16, Michigan Medicine started in-house testing for COVID-19, with the capabilities to deliver same-day results. This allowed the hospital to bypass the state's testing system, which was previously the sole provider of testing for the virus. The same week, the health system also launched drive-thru testing services for Michigan Medicine patients at West Ann Arbor Health Center, Brighton Health Center, and Canton Health Center.Similarly, Beaumont Health and Henry Ford Health System in Metro Detroit also developed in-house testing methods in an effort to increase overall testing capacity within the state. On March 27, a regional drive-up testing center opened in Detroit, at the vacant State Fairgrounds site. A partnership between Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, the city of Detroit, and three regional health systems, the center is able to test up to 400 residents a day, who are referred to the site from their doctor via scheduled appointments. The state restructured reporting procedures and began incorporating private test results in official government case tallies on March 19. On April 15, Hurley Medical Center in Flint opened a mobile testing clinic at Atwood Stadium, with capacity for at least 250 people per day. Testing is provided to those with orders from a doctor and is not open to the general public. Similar drive-thru testing facilities have opened in Atlanta, Bad Axe, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Saginaw, and Traverse City.
The state health department released case counts and death tolls daily, and updated recovered cases weekly. Reviews of the outcomes of reported CoVID cases lead to the discovery of unrecorded deaths on multiple occasions. These deaths were added to the daily toll when discovered, with the result that daily reported deaths did not always indicate the current state of the epidemic. Recovery from the disease was defined simply as surviving 30 days after first symptoms, with no review of actual health or hospitalization status. Starting May 29, families can get tested together in Kalamazoo.
Starting April 13, new testing sites opened in Atlanta, Bad Axe, Bay City, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Flint, Jackson, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City.
Economic impact
Aviation
On March 13, Delta Air Lines, which has a major hub at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, said it will cancel all flights to Europe for the next 30 days, decreasing flight amounts by 40% and grounding 300 planes. Delta had previously indicated it would reduce international flights by 20–25% and domestic flights by 10–15%. On April 28, Delta announced it will suspend flights to and from Flint, Lansing, and Kalamazoo and several other small hub airports across the country after losing $534 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation. Michigan airports will receive a combined $256 million in federal aid to help ease economic hardship from the coronavirus crisis, funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.Grocery stores
Starting on March 15, several grocery chains that have stores in Michigan, including Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart, began reducing their business hours for cleaning and restocking in response to the pandemic. Similarly, Michigan-based Meijer is projected to hire 40–50 new seasonal employees per store to help meet public demand during the outbreak. On March 20, Kroger announced that starting the morning of March 23, all of its Michigan stores will be dedicating the first hour of business on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to seniors, expectant mothers, first responders, and those with compromised immune systems. On March 30, Kroger announced it will hire up to 2,000 people in Michigan in response to the pandemic.Automotive manufacturing
The 2020 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was canceled on March 29, due to the use of its venue TCF Center as a FEMA facility.Michigan-based automotive manufacturers General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler announced plans to gradually shut down plants starting March 19 with all plants closed by the end of the month.
On March 30, Ford announced it will convert its Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti to produce GE/Airon Corporation Model A-E ventilators. It says it will produce 50,000 ventilators in the next 100 days.
Restaurants and bars
On the morning of March 16, Governor Whitmer announced a temporary order to close all bars and restaurants in the state to sit-down service, effective at 3pm the same evening until March 30. Carry-out and delivery options were excluded from the order, although restaurants were urged to limit in-building carry-out services to five customers at a time. The order also included fitness centers, theaters, casinos, and other venues that encourage large assemblages of patrons, with several exceptions, such as office buildings. This order is expected to have significant economic impacts on businesses, and it prompted the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association to call for Whitmer to submit paperwork to qualify Michigan for the U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The order also expands unemployment benefits to public health workers who become ill, people who need to take time off to care for children, and others, until April 14.Domino's Pizza, which is centered in the state, anticipated hiring up to 10,000 people to help meet an increased demand for food delivery services due to the pandemic, while Jet's Pizza also prepared to hire "hundreds" of additional delivery drivers for the same reason.
On June 8, Lansing restaurants reopened for dine-in service for the first time since mid-May.
Unemployment and economic relief
On March 19, the Michigan Strategic Fund unanimously voted to approve a $20 million economic relief program meant to help struggling small businesses affected by the pandemic. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has processed over 1.7 million applications as of May 13, with 1.375 million people receiving benefits. The state has paid $5.62 billion in benefits since the state of emergency was declared two months prior. As of June 19, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has disbursed $11.4 billion to two million people since the coronavirus pandemic reached the state.Impact on sports
Baseball
On March 12, Major League Baseball cancelled the remainder of spring training. Four days later, they announced that the season would be postponed indefinitely, after the recommendations from the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, which affected Michigan's team, the Detroit Tigers. On June 24, two members of the Detroit Tigers organization tested positive for COVID-19. Norris was later cleared to join the Opening Day roster.On June 25, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order which allows professional sports to resume in the state. Two days before, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported training camps at their regular season home stadiums on July 1 in order to resume spring training, which includes inter-squad games only, and prepare for a July 23 or 24 Opening Day. In an effort to slow the spread of the virus, teams will only play their own division and the opposite league's corresponding geographical division, e.g. the Tigers will only play the American League Central and National League Central. Games will be played in empty stadiums, with artificial crowd noise played over loud speakers. Additionally Fox Sports will virtually add CGI fans to the empty seats.
Basketball
Also on March 12, the National Basketball Association announced the season would be suspended for 30 days, which affected the Detroit Pistons. On March 14, Detroit Pistons power forward Christian Wood reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.The Pistons' season officially ended on June 5 when they failed to make the cut for a 22-team restart.
Hockey
In the National Hockey League, the season was suspended for an indefinite amount of time starting March 12, which affected the Detroit Red Wings.The Red Wings' season officially ended on May 27 when they failed to make a 24-team playoff tournament.
Football
On July 27, National Football League preseason games, which usually take place in August, were cancelled by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting the Detroit Lions.The NFL has not yet postponed or canceled any regular season games, but is requiring all fans to wear face masks at stadiums, and decisions to decrease seating capacity is being left up to the individual teams.
Since July 30, the Lions have placed eight players on the injury list after they tested positive for COVID-19.
Golf
Executive Order 2020–42, signed April 9, closed golf courses in the state. On April 26, golf courses were allowed to re-open, provided golfers adhere to social distancing guidelines and stay at least six feet away from people who do not live in their home. Golf carts will not be allowed.On May 8, golf carts were allowed back on the Michigan golf courses.
The FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, an LPGA Symetra Tour event, is one of the first pro sports events returning to Michigan, scheduled for July 24–26 at the Battle Creek Country Club.
College
The NCAA also canceled all of its remaining winter tournaments for the academic year, including the 2020 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament—whose national semi-finals and championship was scheduled to be hosted by Detroit. All spring seasons were canceled as well.One June 1, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order that allows college teams to begin workouts and practice sessions for fall sports seasons. It allows "outdoor fitness classes, athletic practices, training sessions or games, provided that coaches, spectators and participants not from the same household maintain six feet of distance from one another at all times".
On July 22, the Michigan State Spartans football team temporarily suspended its practices after a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19. Two days later, it was reported that 12 Michigan Wolverines athletes also tested positive for COVID-19. On July 31, it was reported 28 Michigan Wolverines athletes have tested positive.
High school
At the high school level, the Michigan High School Athletic Association canceled the remainder of the winter seasons and all of the spring seasons on April 3.On July 17, MHSAA announced all fall sports will resume as scheduled for the 2020–21 school year with practices starting August 10 for football and August 12 for other sports. Hoewver, on July 30, they announced all pre-season scrimmages would be canceled and medium and high-risk sports could start practice but a final decision on whether games would be allowed might not be made until August 20.
Critical responses
Protests
On April 15, a convoy of thousands of motorists drove from all over the state to protest the extension of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order. The protest, known now as Operation Gridlock, involved clogging the streets surrounding on near the Michigan State Capitol, including the Capitol Loop, with their vehicles, drawing national attention. The protest was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition, a group with ties to the DeVos family, through Facebook. The Michigan Freedom Fund supported the rally by as an event co-host, spending an estimated $250 to promote the event. The Michigan Conservative Coalition is asking the governor to take a more measured approach that would allow certain parts of work and daily life to start returning to normal. The organizers urged participants to practice social distancing, and not leave their vehicles during the protest. Lt. Darren Green of the Michigan State Police estimated several thousand cars were part of the demonstration, with 100 to 150 people congregating on the Capitol lawn. “They’re doing a pretty good job of maintaining social distance," Green said. "They’re being respectful and not causing any issues at all.” Neither the Michigan State Police nor the Lansing Police Department had reported any arrests. Multiple services have been disrupted as a result of Operation Gridlock, such as the Capital Area Transportation Authority temporarily suspending their downtown route. Governor Whitmer said the protest was legal per the First Amendment's right to freedom of assembly, and understood the protesters' anger, but warned them they were endangering their health by not following social distancing guidelines and noticed some people were not wearing personal protective equipment, including children, further adding " not a political decision, it's about public health. The enemy is the virus, not one another." President Donald Trump supported the protest on April 17 with an all-caps tweet saying "Liberate Michigan".On April 30, a second protest occurred when hundreds of protesters, many carrying firearms, gathered at the Michigan Capitol. Many protesters were able to enter the building. The demonstration was organized by conservative group Michigan United for Liberty. Governor Whitmer said on April 30 that she found elements of the protest ‘disturbing.’ Also, in an appearance May 3 on CNN’s State of the Union, the governor said the Confederate flags, nooses and Nazi signs displayed were ‘outrageous’ and racist, with some depicting her as Adolf Hitler. On May 14, more armed protesters from Michigan United for Liberty gathered outside the Michigan State Capitol. The organization's Facebook group was deleted over death threats against Governor Whitmer and a fight broke out over a doll tied to a noose carried by a man who also had an axe at the protest. The Michigan Legislature closed its scheduled session to avoid the possibility of another armed confrontation inside the chamber.
On May 20, the Michigan Conservative Coalition held "Operation Haircut" on the lawn of the Capitol Building, in which barbers gave free haircuts, in support of an Owosso barber who was forced to shut down after continuing to operate until last week, violating the executive order closing non-essential businesses that included barber shops and beauty salons resulting in the state suspending his license. Several of the barbers at the demonstration were issued $1,000 citations by the Michigan State Police for disorderly conduct. A week later on May 27, the group from Operation Haircut delivered a letter to the Governor with a layout of safe practices to reopen. A peaceful demonstration of prayers organized by the religious non-profit Transformation Michigan was performed on the Capitol lawn on May 28.
Lawsuits
On April 14, a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit on behalf of four citizens and one business owner against Governor Whitmer, challenging Executive Orders 2020–21 and 2020–42, claiming they harmed businesses and infringed on property rights of Michigan residents.Another lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids on April 16 by several plaintiffs against Governor Whitmer and several county prosecutors calling it a "Draconian" measure that violates Michigan residents’ constitutional rights.
Another lawsuit was filed by a group of recreational fisherman against Governor Whitmer in the same court on April 17, claiming her latest stay at home order "is an overreaction and overly broad” way to slow the coronavirus spread". The Michigan United Conservation Clubs filed a lawsuit in the same court against Governor Whitmer on April 19 for the same reasons.
On April 22, Michigan United for Liberty sued Governor Whitmer, arguing that depriving people of the right to use their property amounts to unconstitutional unjust taking by the state government.
Governor Whitmer's third stay-at-home order, issued April 24, overturned the restrictions on recreational boating and visits to vacation homes, effectively ending some of the lawsuits.
On April 29, inmates from various Michigan prisons filed a class action lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, claiming the state is violating the Eighth Amendment by subjecting inmates to cruel and unusual punishment by not taking necessary pandemic precautions.
On May 6, Michigan House of Representatives Speaker Lee Chatfield and Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, both Republicans, sued Governor Whitmer, who is a Democrat, over her use of emergency powers during the pandemic, saying only the Michigan Legislature has the power to extend the state of emergency. The Michigan Court of Claims ruled in Governor Whitmer's favor on May 21.
Also on May 6, a group of churches sued Governor Whitmer, claiming "Executive Order 2020-70 continues to prohibit gatherings of two or more individuals, including at churches, thereby denying them the ability to hold worship services and otherwise carry out their ministry functions until May 28, 2020" violates their First Amendment right of freedom of religion.
On May 22, a group of independently owned gyms and fitness centers is sued Governor Whitmer and the state's top health official in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids attempting to overturn the state's stay-at-home order and allow them to reopen.
On May 29, the Department of Justice filed a statement that supports a lawsuit filed by seven Michigan businesses that challenged the restrictions imposed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 2, Governor Whitmer stated in an opinion piece that the coronavirus is a civil rights battle too and that she was surprised by the lawsuit.